NC's solar energy options are booming

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By Laura Leslie

On Monday, the North Carolina Utilities Commission will start the process of setting the rates power companies should pay for solar energy. The state requires utilities to buy or make a small percentage of their power from renewable sources.

Ernest BorgnineJul 7, 2014

Natural gas... That's a better bet than solar.I wouldn't believe that argument on a good day. And today ain't one of those.

If folks want solar panels, tell big government (local and state) to get outta the way. I don't know how efficient these panels are. But, if a private company or a family wants to put a bunch on their roof or somewheres, let em. The solar energy market isn't a threat to other energy markets anyhow.

Ty ShrakeJul 7, 2014

Microturbines that run on natural gas. They already exist, they are extremely efficient, super reliable, ecofriendly (mostly) and natural gas is almost everywhere in gigantic quatities. That's a better bet than solar.

European AmericanJul 7, 2014

when we have to find another energy source one day, we'll find it.

Brilliant thinking! By that logic, wait till a bridge collapses, then fix it.

logitechJul 7, 2014

Once you get through the red tape of permits, county & town approvals, permission by the elec co to tie into the grid (unless your just using solar for a shed light or pond pump) Those fees and charges alone are enough to run a person off. Then add the panels, inverters, storage batteries and hookup (ins co requires lisc installer incase of fire etc) they make it so over priced to keep you on the grid. The solar return is not worth the 15 year investment payback.

ohbumrJul 7, 2014

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the only reason it is booming is because the government subsidizes it and mandates its use. if it were a private enterprise, it would be bankrupt

— Posted by stopthespending

yep, solar isnt efficient enough yet. you need too many panels to power just your home. they also wear out after about 30 years. do the math, for the cost and the lifespan, it's just not worth it. fossil fuels are cheap and plentiful and arent going anywhere anytime soon. neccesity breads invention. when we have to find another energy source one day, we'll find it. but for now, it's just wishful thinking.

Maurice Pentico Jr.Jul 7, 2014

If you read the article... it is really a "forced" boom... as power companies are required to make or buy the power. No word if it is even profitable, or even market sustainable.

Ty ShrakeJul 7, 2014

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There is a lot more money to be made here than by fracking.

— Posted by Anita Woody

Not really. If that were the case then energy investors would be pouring billions of dollars into this technology. But they aren't because there just isn't a good risk/profit ratio with this technology yet. Fracking on the other hand is creating whole economies.

If you think there is a lot of money to be made here please explain Solyndra.

stevengsJul 7, 2014

I really dont see the "green" in solar energy panels when you remove the forest to put the panels up. Youer removing the one true renewable source to scub the air of carbondioxide. once the forest is removed you now have also removed the means to keep that patch of earth from drying out, that patch of earth from being used to filter rain water back into the underground water aquafers (it now runs off into the streams causing more silt). As a whole, the panel farms are costing the earth more damage then good. Put them over neighborhoods for shade and parking lots at the mall, see if that will go over. Or those big spacious lots at the airports.

68_dodge_polaraJul 7, 2014

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Talk about wishful thinking... It is true coal and gas get significant tax breaks, but solar and wind get FAR more per kWh delivered. Solar is subsidized in NC to the tune of 65%+ on the installed equipment, plus these negotiations mean developers get more per kWh than market price would dictate - yet another subsidy.

As for Germany, read a real report - they tried solar and it is not working. Power prices have increased dramatically and there are availability issues. Batteries on this scale are incredibly expensive and create huge pollution during manufacturing (like electric cars). A typical solar project has a 5-7 year payback WITH subsidies, double that with large battery storage.

Solar is not the panacea the environmentalists say it is, but of course coal and gas have their own very real issues too. There is no one answer - except perhaps to use less energy in the first place.

— Posted by SaveEnergyMan

It will be great if solar energy can one day compete with fossil fuels, hopefully the new jobs will be countless and gainful.

KnowsItAllJul 7, 2014

this is good news. Despite big oil's attempts (through the government officials they own like McCrory, Berger, and Stamm) to keep us ever beholding to their products, solar is a great additional option that will help us to lessen our dependence on Saudi Oil.

agree that the panels should be put on rooftops and in parking lots rather than big fields though. would be more asthetically pleasing, and would get more bang for the buck since the presence of the panels on rooftops would themselves help to keep the buildings cooler. Plus the electricity generated doesn't have to travel far to be put to good use.

Bad day for Exxon/Mobile/Pope/ALEC/Berger/Stamm/McCrory.Good day for the environment and the people of NC